U.S. patent number 5,680,970 [Application Number 08/650,346] was granted by the patent office on 1997-10-28 for self closing dispensing valve biased by resilient fingers.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Liqui-Box Corporation. Invention is credited to Mark A. Smith, M. Stephen Tschanen.
United States Patent |
5,680,970 |
Smith , et al. |
October 28, 1997 |
Self closing dispensing valve biased by resilient fingers
Abstract
A self-closing dispensing valve comprises a valve housing having
a fluid conduit with a valve orifice therethrough, a flow control
member within the valve body which is displaceable along an axis
from a first position in which the flow control member obstructs
the flow of fluid through the valve orifice to a second position in
which the flow control member does not obstruct the flow of fluid
through the valve orifice, and one or more resilient flexible
fingers fixed to either the valve housing or the valve member which
is deflected when the valve member is displaced to its open
position. Preferably the fingers are arranged in pairs oriented
parallel to the axis and are deflected toward the axis by a conical
camming surface on the valve member when it is displaced from its
closed position.
Inventors: |
Smith; Mark A. (Westerville,
OH), Tschanen; M. Stephen (Columbus, OH) |
Assignee: |
Liqui-Box Corporation
(Worthington, OH)
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Family
ID: |
22730639 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/650,346 |
Filed: |
May 20, 1996 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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528155 |
Sep 14, 1995 |
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376523 |
Jan 23, 1995 |
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197755 |
Feb 17, 1994 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
222/514; 222/509;
222/559; 222/518 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D
47/248 (20130101); B65D 47/283 (20130101); B67D
3/045 (20130101); B67D 3/043 (20130101); B65D
77/067 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B65D
77/06 (20060101); B67D 3/04 (20060101); B67D
3/00 (20060101); B67D 003/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;222/509,514,518,105,185.1,559 ;251/320,337 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Huson; Gregory L.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Vorys, Sater, Seymour &
Pease
Parent Case Text
RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.
08/528,155, filed Sep. 14, 1995, abandoned, which is a continuation
of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/376,523 filed Jan. 23, 1995,
abandoned, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.
08/197,755, filed Feb. 17, 1994, abandoned.
Claims
I claim:
1. A self-closing dispensing valve comprising
a valve housing having a fluid conduit therethrough, said conduit
having a valve orifice,
a valve member within said valve body displaceable along an axis
from a first position in which said valve member obstructs the flow
of fluid through said valve orifice to a second position in which
said valve member does not obstruct the flow of fluid through said
valve orifice, and
biasing means for biasing said valve member toward said first
position, said biasing means comprising
at least one resilient flexible finger having a base end and a tip
end,
said base end being fixed to one of said valve housing and said
valve member,
said tip end being positioned to contact the other of said valve
member and said valve housing and be deflected when said valve
member is displaced from said first position toward said second
position
wherein said biasing means additionally comprises
a camming surface on one of said valve member and said valve
housing,
and said at least one resiliently flexible finger extends generally
parallel to said axis,
said tip end of said resiliently flexible finger being positioned
to contact said camming surface and be displaced transversely to
said axis when said valve member is displaced from said first
position toward said second position.
2. The dispensing valve of claim 1 wherein said camming surface
deflects said finger toward said axis when said valve member is
displaced from said first position to said second position.
3. The dispensing valve of claim 1 wherein said camming surface is
on said valve member and said finger is on said valve housing.
4. The dispensing valve of claim 1 wherein said valve housing
comprises a valve body having an outlet section with a generally
cylindrical wall symmetrical about said axis and said valve orifice
is an aperture in said cylindrical wall of said outlet section.
5. The dispensing valve of claim 4 wherein said camming surface is
a conical surface generally symmetrical about said axis.
6. The dispensing valve of claim 5 having at least a pair of said
fingers symmetrically positioned with respect to said axis.
7. The dispensing valve of claim 6 wherein said camming surface
deflects said fingers toward said axis when said valve member is
displaced from said first position to said second position.
8. The dispensing valve of claim 6 comprising more than one pair of
said resilient fingers.
9. The dispensing valve of claim 6 comprising three pairs of said
resilient fingers.
10. The dispensing valve of claim 6 wherein said camming surface is
on said valve member and said fingers are on said valve
housing.
11. The dispensing valve of claim 6 wherein said valve member is
provided with a surface that obstructs said aperture when said
valve member is in said first position and does not obstruct said
aperture when said valve member is in said second position.
12. The dispensing valve of claim 6 wherein said valve housing,
said valve member and said resilient fingers are molded from a
synthetic resin.
13. The dispensing valve of claim 12 wherein said synthetic resin
is polypropylene.
14. The dispensing valve of claim 6 wherein said valve housing
comprises a valve body and a cap.
15. The dispensing valve of claim 14 wherein said resilient fingers
are fixed to said cap.
16. The dispensing valve of claim 15 wherein said resilient fingers
are integrally molded with said cap.
17. The dispensing valve of claim 16 wherein said valve body, cap,
resilient fingers and valve member are molded from a synthetic
resin.
18. The dispensing valve of claim 17 wherein said synthetic resin
is polypropylene.
19. The dispensing valve of claim 1 wherein said valve housing has
a front wall generally perpendicular to said axis and said orifice
is an aperture in said front wall.
20. The dispensing valve of claim 19 wherein said camming surface
is on said valve member and said finger is on said valve
housing.
21. The dispensing valve of claim 19 wherein said camming surface
deflects said finger toward said axis when said valve member is
displaced from said first position to said second position.
22. The dispensing valve of claim 19 wherein said camming surface
is a conical surface generally symmetrical about said axis.
23. The dispensing valve of claim 22 having at least a pair of said
fingers symmetrically positioned with respect to said axis.
24. The dispensing valve of claim 23 comprising three pairs of said
resilient fingers.
25. The dispensing valve of claim 23 wherein said camming surface
deflects said fingers toward said axis when said valve member is
displaced from said first position to said second position.
26. The dispensing valve of claim 23 comprising more than one pair
of said resilient fingers.
27. The dispensing valve of claim 23 wherein said camming surface
is on said valve member and said fingers are on said valve
housing.
28. The dispensing valve of claim 23 wherein said valve member is
provided with a surface that obstructs said aperture when said
valve member is in said first position and does not obstruct said
aperture when said valve member is in said second position.
29. The dispensing valve of claim 23 wherein said valve housing,
said valve member and said resilient fingers are molded from a
synthetic resin.
30. The dispensing valve of claim 23 wherein said valve housing
comprises a valve body and a cap.
31. The dispensing valve of claim 30 wherein said resilient fingers
are fixed to said cap.
32. The dispensing valve of claim 31 wherein said resilient fingers
are integrally molded with said cap.
33. The dispensing valve of claim 32 wherein said valve body, cap,
resilient fingers and valve member are molded from a synthetic
resin.
34. The dispensing valve of claim 33 wherein said synthetic resin
is polypropylene.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to dispensing valves for plastic bags and
containers used for commercial distribution of liquid products and
more particularly to such valves as are self-closing.
2. Brief Description of the Prior Art
Distribution and sale of liquid products in flexible plastic bags
supported in corrugated cardboard boxes has enjoyed great
commercial success. Such products as water, wine, syrups for
reconstituting soft drinks and the like are shipped in these
containers and dispensed directly from the containers at the point
of use. In order to facilitate dispensing the liquid products,
dispensing valves or taps are inserted into the plastic container
to permit draining the contents by gravity. Such valves are made
largely of plastic for reasons of economy and are discarded or
recycled together with the liquid-containing bag. The valves are
often made to be self-closing both for convenience and to prevent
accidental spillage of the container contents from a tap that is
not closed properly.
Self-closing valves for service in flexible bag distribution of
liquids typically have valve housing through which the liquid flows
from the bag to the outside, and a valve orifice within the valve
housing which can be selectively obstructed by a valve member. A
spring typically biases the valve member toward the closed
position, and some means is provided for opening the valve by
exerting a force on an external member to force the valve element
away from its closed position to permit the liquid to flow out
through the valve orifice.
Although many types of such dispensing valves have been used with
flexible bags, the construction of these valves has presented some
problems with respect to recycling the bag and valve. Ideally, the
valve is made of the same plastic material as the bag, or one that
is closely compatible therewith in order that the entire bag
assembly can be simply recycled to further uses of the plastic.
However, self-closing valves have typically used a spring member
made of metal to bias the valve element toward the closed position.
Evidently, the need to separate the spring introduces an extra step
into the preparation of the bag for recycling thereby increasing
the costs of recycling the bag. Furthermore, the use of a separate
spring generally requires an specific assembly step which may
increase the cost of the valve. Some dispensing valves have been
made with plastic springs, but usually the plastic used for the
spring is different from, and may be incompatible with, the plastic
used for the bag and other valve parts. This again requires that
the spring material be separated from the bag and valve before
recycling, and may require a separate assembly step.
Accordingly, a need has continued to exist for a self-closing
dispensing valve for plastic bag liquid containers that can be made
from a single type of plastic or at least from types of plastic
that are compatible with simple and total recycle of the bag and
valve.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This problem has now been solved by the self-closing valve of this
invention which comprises
a valve housing having a fluid conduit therethrough, with a valve
orifice in the conduit,
a valve member within the valve housing displaceable along an axis
from a first position in which the valve member obstructs the flow
of fluid through the valve orifice and a second position in which
the valve member does not obstruct the flow of fluid through the
valve orifice, and
biasing means for biasing the valve member toward the first
position, the biasing means comprising a camming surface on either
the valve member or the valve housing,
at least one resiliently flexible finger having a base end and a
tip end, the base end being fixed to the other of the valve member
or the valve housing and extending generally parallel to said axis
with the tip end of the finger being positioned to contact the
camming surface and be displaced transversely to the axis when the
valve member is displaced from its first position toward its second
position.
The use of resilient flexible fingers to provide the biasing force
to urge the valve member toward its closed position permits the
entire valve structure to be made from one plastic material or at
least from compatible plastic materials.
Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a
self-closing dispensing valve for use with flexible plastic bags
used in commercial distribution of liquid products.
A further object is to provide a self-closing dispensing valve that
is easily recyclable.
A further object is to provide a self-closing dispensing valve that
can be made entirely from plastic.
A further object is to provide a self-closing dispensing valve that
is simple to manufacture and assemble.
Other objects of the invention will become apparent from the
description of the invention which follows.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a dispensing valve according to
the invention.
FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the dispensing valve of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the dispensing valve of FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a front view of the dispensing valve of FIG. 1.
FIG. 5 is a rear view of the dispensing valve of FIG. 1.
FIG. 6(A) is a vertical cross sectional view of the dispensing
valve of FIGS. 1-5, taken along the line 6--6 in FIG. 4, showing
the valve in its closed position.
FIG. 6(B) is a vertical cross sectional view of the dispensing
valve of FIGS. 1-5, taken along the line 6--6 in FIG. 4, showing
the valve in its open position.
FIG. 7 is a front view of the valve body element of the dispensing
valve of FIG. 1.
FIG. 8 is a plan cross sectional view of the valve body of FIG. 7
taken along the line 8--8.
FIG. 9 is a front view of the valve body cap of the dispensing
valve of FIG. 1.
FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of the valve body cap of FIG. 9
taken along the line 10--10.
FIG. 11 is a bottom view of the valve member of the dispensing
valve of FIG. 1.
FIG. 12 is a side axial cross section view of the valve member of
FIG. 11 taken along the line 12--12.
FIG. 13 is an isometric exploded assembly view of the dispensing
valve of FIG. 1.
FIG. 14 is a side elevation view of another embodiment of the
dispensing valve according to the invention.
FIG. 15 is a front view of the dispensing valve of FIG. 14.
FIG. 16 is a vertical cross sectional view of the dispensing valve
of FIGS. 14-15, taken along the line 16--16 in FIG. 15, showing the
valve in its closed position.
FIG. 17 is a rear view of the dispensing valve of FIG. 14.
FIG. 18 is a side elevation view of another embodiment of the
dispensing valve according to the invention.
FIG. 19 is a front view of the dispensing valve of FIG. 18.
FIG. 20 is a vertical cross sectional view of the dispensing valve
of FIGS. 18-19, taken along the line 20--20 in FIG. 19, showing the
valve in its closed position.
FIG. 21 is a rear view of the dispensing valve of FIG. 18.
FIG. 22 is a rear view of the dispensing valve of FIG. 18 with the
rear cap removed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
One embodiment of the dispensing valve of the invention is
illustrated in FIGS. 1-13 wherein the parts of the valve are
designated by the same reference numerals throughout.
The dispensing valve 100 of FIGS. 1-13 comprises a valve housing
102 having a valve body 103 bearing a rim 104 for attaching the
valve to a liquid container such as a flexible bag (not shown). The
valve may be attached to such a bag by means of the groove 106
which may mate with a corresponding fitting on the bag. A flange
110 surrounding the valve body 103 provides strength and may help
to position the valve within a cardboard box surrounding the
liquid-containing bag. The valve body 103 is formed from a
frusto-conical section 112 and a generally cylindrical outlet
section 114 extending from the narrow end of the frusto-conical
section 112. The outlet section 114 terminates in a front wall 116
having a bearing hole 118 through which the actuating portion 164
of the valve member 160 protrudes, and which acts as a guide and
bearing for the valve member 160. The front wall 116 is provided
with laterally extending finger grips 122 to aid an operator in
using the dispensing valve 100. The lower portion of the
cylindrical outlet section 114 of the valve body 102 is cut away to
form a generally rectangular outlet orifice 124. A guide channel
120 within the lower portion of the valve body 102 positions the
valve member 160, as best seen in FIG. 8.
The rear of the valve housing 102 is formed by a cap 130. The cap
130 comprises a circular rear wall 132 having a rim 134 that fits
into the rear of valve body 103. The rim 134 is provided with a
circumferential lip 136 that mates with cap retaining groove 108 in
the valve body 103 to fix the cap to the valve body 103. The rear
wall 132 is provided with inlet holes 138 that permit liquid to
flow from the bag into the valve housing 102. Resilient flexible
fingers 140 are attached at their bases 142 to the rear wall 132
and they extend forward from the rear wall 132 generally parallel
to the axis of the valve body 102. The tips 144 of the fingers 140
are located adjacent the camming surface 168 of the valve member
160. The fingers 140 are preferably integrally molded with the rear
cap 130 and are formed of a synthetic resin material having an
elastic modulus sufficiently high that the fingers are flexibly
resilient but relatively stiff along the long dimension of the
finger.
The valve member 160, shown in detail in FIGS. 11 and 12, has a
cylindrical portion 162 and a conical rear portion 166. The forward
part of the cylindrical portion 162 protrudes through the bearing
hole 118 in the valve body 102 and serves to provide an actuation
member for opening the valve 100. The conical portion 166 has on
its interior surface a conical camming surface 168. This conical
camming surface 168 engages the corresponding camming surfaces 146
on the radially outer portions of the fingers 140. As the valve
member 160 is displaced from its closed position, shown in FIG. 6A,
to its open position, shown in FIG. 6B, by rearward force applied
to the actuating protrusion 164, the conical camming surface 168 on
the valve member 160, acting on the camming surfaces 146 of the
resilient fingers 140, forces the fingers 140 radially inward. When
the pressure on the actuating protrusion 164 is released, the
radially outward force exerted by the resilient fingers 140 on the
camming surface 168 forces the valve member forward to the closed
position.
The valve boss 170 on the bottom side of valve member 160 slides in
guide channel 120 within the valve body 102. In the closed position
(FIG. 6A) the valve boss obstructs the outlet orifice 124, thereby
preventing liquid from flowing through the valve. In the open
position (FIG. 6B) the valve boss 170 is retracted and the outlet
orifice 124 is open, permitting liquid to flow from the bag through
the inlet holes 138, through the space within the valve housing 102
and out the outlet orifice 124.
Although the valve 100 of this invention may be made of any
material having suitable properties, it is preferred that the valve
be made of a synthetic resin material that can be molded to form
the parts of the valve 100. The synthetic resin material must have
sufficient resiliency so that the fingers will return to their rest
positions when the deforming pressure is released and thereby
restore the valve member 160 to its closed position. If the valve
100 of the invention is made from a single synthetic resin
material, recycling of the valve is made particularly easy, because
the used valve can be ground up, remelted and remolded into new
valves. It is preferred that the valve 100 be made from a synthetic
resin that is that same as that used to form the liquid-containing
bag with which the dispensing valve is used. Such compatibility
further increases the ease of recycling the valve. A preferred
synthetic resin for the valve is polypropylene. The valve can also
be made of high-density polyethylene, polystyrene, nylon or the
like. Similarly, the rear cap 130 can be made from a synthetic
resin material that has properties suitable for forming resilient
fingers, while the other components of the valve can be made from
other suitable plastics.
Another dispensing valve 200 of the invention is illustrated in
FIGS. 14-17. Valve 200 comprises a valve housing 202 comprising a
valve body 203 provided at its rear end with a rim 204 with groove
205 for engaging a flexible bag or other liquid container not
shown. The rim is provided with a cap retaining groove 206 and is
surrounded by a flange 208. In the embodiment of FIG. 14 the rim
and flange are inclined in order to accommodate a liquid container
having an outlet that is inclined downward. The valve body 203 has
a generally cylindrical portion 210 generally symmetrical about an
axis and having a front wall 212. The front wall 212 is provided
with an outlet orifice 214 which cooperates with a valve member 260
to open and close the dispensing valve as explained more fully
below. The valve body 203 is also provided with an actuator 216
which is pressed by the user to open the valve and dispense the
contents of the liquid container. The actuator 216 is a generally
half-cylindrical structure hinged at its upper end to the valve
body 203 by means of a hinge 218. The actuator 216 is connected by
actuating rod 264 to the front surface 262 of the valve member 260.
In a first, or closed, position the front surface 262 of the valve
member 260, which may be a frustoconical surface as shown, occludes
the outlet orifice 214 in the front wall 212 of the valve body 203.
When the actuator is pressed, the valve member 260 is displaced
axially rearward to its second position wherein the front surface
262 of the valve member 260 does not occlude the outlet orifice
214. When the actuator 216 is pressed, the edges of the side walls
220 of the actuator approach closely to the front wall 212 of the
cylindrical section 210 of the valve body 203, thereby forming a
kind of channel to direct the flow of the liquid downward.
Preferably the valve body, actuator and hinge are integrally molded
from a suitable synthetic resin.
The cap 230 of the dispensing valve 200 fits onto the rear of the
valve body 203 and held thereon by means of a retaining groove 206.
The cap is provided with holes 234 through which liquid may flow
from the container to which the valve is attached to the valve
orifice 214. The cap bears resilient fingers 236 fixed at their
bases 238 to the rear wall 232 of the cap 230. The camming action
of the tips 240 and camming surfaces 242 of the resilient flexible
fingers 236 on the conical camming surface 266 of the valve member
260 to exert a biasing force toward its closed position is
essentially the same as in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-13
and discussed above. Similarly, it is preferred that the embodiment
of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 15-18 be molded of a single
synthetic resin material, preferably polypropylene.
Although in the illustrated embodiments of the invention the
camming surface is located on the valve member and the resilient
fingers are fixed within the valve, it will be appreciated by those
skilled in the art that the camming surface could be fixed within
the valve body and the resilient fingers located on the valve
member.
Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 18-22.
In the dispensing valve 300 of this embodiment a valve housing 302
comprises a valve body 303 and a cap 330. The valve body 303 has a
generally cylindrical section 312 which is generally symmetrical
about an axis 313. The valve body 303 has a front wall 314 having a
valve orifice 315. Preferably the valve orifice 315 is located on
the axis 313. A valve member 360 is movable along the axis 313 from
a first position in which it obstructs and closes the valve orifice
315 and a second position in which it does not obstruct the valve
orifice 315 thereby permitting liquid to flow through the valve
assembly 300. The valve body 303 is also provided with an actuator
316 which is pressed by the user to open the valve and dispense the
contents of the liquid container. The operation of the actuator 316
in the embodiment of FIGS. 18-22 is essentially the same as in the
embodiment of FIGS. 14-17. The half-cylindrical actuator 316 is
hinged at its upper end to the valve body 303 by means of a hinge
318 and is connected by actuating rod 364 to the front surface 362
of the valve member 360. When the actuator is pressed, the valve
member 360 is displaced axially to its second position wherein the
front surface 362 of the valve member 360 does not occlude the
outlet orifice 315. At the same time the edges of the side walls
320 of the actuator cooperate with the front wall 314 of the valve
body 303 to form a channel.
The valve member 360 is provided with a guide rod 368 and a
shoulder 366 which provides a bearing surface for the fingers 382
which bias the valve member toward its closed position.
The resilient fingers in this embodiment of the invention are fixed
at their bases 384 to a mounting ring 380 which fits within the
valve body 303 and is held against a shoulder 313 by the cap 330.
The fingers extend radially inward and their tips 386 bear against
the rear surface of the shoulder 366 on the valve member 360. The
fingers 382 may be oriented perpendicular to the axis 311 or may be
oriented at an angle to the axis 311. It is only necessary that the
fingers be able to be deflected when the valve member 360 is
displaced from its first, closed, position to its second, open,
position.
A cap 330 covers the rear opening of the valve body 303 and is held
in place by a lip 339 which fits into a groove 306 within the valve
body 303. The cap engages the rear surface 381 of the finger
mounting ring 380 to hold it against the shoulder 313 in the valve
body 303. The cap is provided with holes 334 through which liquid
may flow from the container to which the valve is attached to the
valve orifice 314. A cylindrical valve member guide 336 is fixed to
the rear wall 332 of the cap 330 and extends axially surrounding
the guide rod 368 of the valve member 360.
In this embodiment also it is preferred that all the parts be made
from a suitable synthetic resin, preferably polypropylene.
The invention having now been fully described, it should be
understood that it may be embodied in other specific forms or
variations without departing from its spirit or essential
characteristics. Accordingly, the embodiments described above are
to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not
restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the
appended claims rather than the foregoing description, and all
changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of
the claims are intended to be embraced therein.
* * * * *